The Little Horse That Could

re: The Little Horse That Could

TerriZ — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:37:00 GMT

Jackson Bend is not only the little horse that could, but he comes out of the little stable and little trainer who could. Jacks Or Better is a small farm, yet they have fabulous horses. And their trainer, Stanley Gold, exclusively trains their horses and has done a marvelous job. When Jackson Bend had difficulties, Zito sent him back to Gold and back to Calder to get it right.

Maybe Frank Stronach should consider doing the same thing with Awesome Feather, when she doesn't seem right.

One of the trainers who used to work at Calder told me that horses step up from there. Calder has a deeper track, which is more challenging for horses to run on. Once horses go from training and running on a deeper and more difficult track (Calder), they step up in class at faster more shallow tracks.

If you want to look for future stars, look at the two year olds who do well at Calder.

re: The Little Horse That Could

Terry M. — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:30:26 GMT

Still don't know how tall he is. Everyone keeps saying he is little. How little? Curious folks want to know!

Northern Dancer was little, too. Didn't stop him from becoming great.

re: The Little Horse That Could

an ole railbird — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 20:24:41 GMT

plodderman, i didnt vote that day. i played hooky,& watched the roosters fight & the horses race.

( just a little funnin).

yall have a nice day.

"an ole railbird"

re: The Little Horse That Could

plodderman — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:42:39 GMT

Hey Ole Rail Bird...... Who did you vote for???

re: The Little Horse That Could

Mike Relva — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:05:16 GMT

Followed his career from the beginning.

re: The Little Horse That Could

Giddyup — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 01:11:53 GMT

I fell in love with JB when I saw him giving 100% in races against Eskendereya. It was great to see him get a second chance as a sprinter and he has really thrived as one. Just like Seabiscuit he has shown that having a huge heart can compensate for shortcomings in other areas.

re: The Little Horse That Could

Vajohnny — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 01:03:26 GMT

I been following horse,s for years . It excited me to finally meet an owner . Bob is a proud man when talking about his horses not only Jackson all of them. You talk to bob n Laurie about there horses u think they are talking about their kids .every horse , what race they are in ,what track they are running at. What wonderful people and proud owners . Great article enjoyed it . Keep up the good work

re: The Little Horse That Could

an ole railbird — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 22:28:37 GMT

it never fails,in my case. see, here i am over her on this blog, ew & awing ,over a horse, like a child.

all the while he on the track ,getting his butt out ran by a long shot.

another case of murphys law.

brag on them & it will come back to haunt, EVER TIME.

thats why, i am just "an ole railbird.

re: The Little Horse That Could

TerriV — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 20:53:42 GMT

I love this horse. I root for him every time he runs. He adds excitement to every race because there is always the possibility he can win it. I love his grit and he's a pretty little thing too.

re: The Little Horse That Could

Paula Higgins — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:07:54 GMT

Comments on here are great. ole rail burd, loved your comments on the national emblem. Informative and fun. As much as I love horses, the American Eagle was the right choice. How about a piece on Zenyatta's and Rachel Alexandra's boys? I know they haven't set foot on a track, but would be interesting to hear about their personalities etc.

re: The Little Horse That Could

Slew — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:44:39 GMT

Little Jackson Bend is always one of my favorites. I still remember one race where the saddle cloths were so large, his hung down to his knees. It reminded me of a little girl trying on Mommy's dresses. But there is no mistaking this little guy for anything less than a lion on the track. He thrills me with every race. I'm happy they found his best groove in the one-turn mile. He is so consistent, and always excels with a smile.

Ole railbird: terrific choice for a cover. Best of luck to you.

re: The Little Horse That Could

By a long nose — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 02:41:18 GMT

Feedback: keep us awake next time.

re: The Little Horse That Could

MRO — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:29:41 GMT

There are a lot of horses I like in the James Marvin field, but I would not be the least bit disappointed if JB pulls it off. He is a favorite!

re: The Little Horse That Could

robinm — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 22:59:18 GMT

I've loved Jackson Bend since the first time I saw him race. Frankly, I was a little disappointed he went on the Triple Crown trail, since it was pretty clear to me the distances were beyond his scope. Boy, did he fool me, nearly pulling off a Preakness victory! Still, his best distance has proved to be 7 furlongs, with 6 just a little too short and 8 perhaps a tad too long. It's because of the distance limitations and unfashionable pedigree that he is still running for us to enjoy him, and for that I'm grateful. Too many of my favorites leave the track for the breeding shed before even getting a chance to show what they are really made of. I doubt JB will be well backed when he does retire to stud, though I for one, would not underestimate him. If he passes on his heart, his offspring should be runners to be reckoned with!

re: The Little Horse That Could

arlingtonfan — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 20:15:15 GMT

Love, love, love Jackson Bend. Thanks, Claire, for this excellent profile of one of my favorites!

re: The Little Horse That Could

Terry M. — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 19:28:59 GMT

Everyone says he is very little. So how tall is he anyway?

Perfect conformation and movement in a small package is something I'd choose over a big horse with faults any day.

re: The Little Horse That Could

mirlacca — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:17:19 GMT

How can you write an article that refers *repeatedly* to how small a horse is without ONCE actually giving his height? How big IS this horse, and how tall is the average three-year-old?

re: The Little Horse That Could

Claire Novak — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:00:06 GMT

Thanks for the great feedback, guys! Would love to hear your thoughts on future horses/figures in the sport to cover! :-)

re: The Little Horse That Could

Love 'em all — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:59:13 GMT

Meant to add, John Henry comes to mind when the words "little" and "feisty" are used in the same sentence to describe a great racehorse. Gotta love those little fellas!

JB's 'the man' ... and bet he'll be "the boss" in the breeding shed. [grinning]

re: The Little Horse That Could

Love 'em all — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:36:02 GMT

Love this "little hoss" with the most heart of any out there. I've been a fan of his for years and will continue to be as long as he wishes. JB IS the real deal, for sure. Love him with all MY heart.

Best wishes to JB and Rosie tomorrow ... I'll be rooting for them.

re: The Little Horse That Could

KG1 — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:13:36 GMT

Thanks for writing about this guy, he deserves the press.

I was trackside for The Carter and had bet Shackleford earlier as my play of the day.

Then I took a gander at the horses in the paddock. Jackson Bend is small but he's put together like someone made the perfect specimen. It was a hot spring day and very humid. This horse looked so calm, cool, collected and ready. Not to mention his being so disrespected by the bettors that I did something I rarely do...I ran to the window and bet against my play of the day. I'm sure glad I did. Posse closed like a banshee but Jackson held on it was a humdinger.

I believe this horse will do well at stud. While his breeding isn't fashionable...it's very interesting. How often do you see an outcross through the fifth generation in American bloodlines?

I remember Talc the broodmares grandsire. Jackson reminds me quite a bit of him.

I'll wrap up by saying....could?

Jackson Bend is the little horse that can.

p.s. Ole railbird...good luck with that cover.

re: The Little Horse That Could

Pedigree Ann — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:54:17 GMT

More proof that a horse needn't be 17 hands tall or have a fashionable sire to be a major-leauge performer. Too many yearling buyers (and fans, I might add) are fixated on the huge size of many of today's competitors as indicative of superior talent. Repeat after me - Northern Dancer was little, Danzig was little, Rahy was little,..., Megahertz was little! Good horses come in all sizes.

re: The Little Horse That Could

peggy conroy — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:28:45 GMT

I think this horse gets his movement and grit from the female side of his pedigree down to Anticipating's daughter, Antilassa. I had a super-moving colt by Anticipating years ago. He's from the La Troienne female family which often throws really exceptionally nice movers.

re: The Little Horse That Could

Karen in Indiana — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:23:45 GMT

Excellent article, Claire.

I never thought of Jackson Bend as little, mainly because I don't think he knows it so he doesn't act it. But then in one of his races last year, there was a panoramic shot and it was the race Shackleford was in. What a contrast! I have loved this guy since he was 2 (I follow the ones with Tabasco Cat as broodmare sire) so it's been wonderful watching him find his place.

re: The Little Horse That Could

TripleCrownKaren — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:33:49 GMT

Nick Zito and his crew are a CLASS ACT in this sport. He is passionate and dedicated to his horses and I've loved JACKSON BEND from the first time I saw him run. the fact that my favorite trainer has him is icing on the cake because I KNOW that this horse is in GREAT hands. I will be VERY interested to follow JB's offspring when he starts producing, but for now, it's great to have a "horse hero" to continue to root for! Thanks to the owner for keeping him running and not whisking him off to stud duties just yet! :)